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March 06, 2007
Bidwell Classic 1/2 Marathon Race Report
What a great day for a race!! Beautiful weather, and a great race course (2 laps around Bidwell Park).
After parking, I walked into Bidwell Park, and then walked to the bathroom. Walking around, my right foot just didn't feel right, I was afraid that somehow my orthodic has gotten messed up. Took my shoe off (now about 5 minutes till race time) and what do I find - an Airsoft BB in my shoe (thanks, son). Really glad I found that before the race began.
The race started off well, my mile splits were just a little fast - averaging about 8'10" per mile. Lots of interesting people to watch during the race - one guy was hold one hand behind his back in a "peace" symbol, and the other arm outstretched above his head, at a 45 degree angle. He did that a lot!!! I have no idea what the symbolism meant.
One other gal, twice, nearly spit on me. She was on the outside, and could easily have spit off the roadway, towards the brush, but no, she spit towards the middle of the path (and me and the other runners). We gave her a wide berth after that.
One other pretty funny thing - I heard a runner come up along side me, and then heard them clear their throat, and let the debris go. I would have bet a $100 bill the person responsible for that rude noise would be a large, rather grotesque male runner. When I turned to look, what do I see, but a cute little blond, probably all of 130 pounds!!!
Anyway, the first 6 miles went really well - and then things started going downhill. Every mile, It seemed to get harder to keep my pace. I made lots to valiant efforts to bring my pace back up, but no real success with that.
I kicked it the last few hundred yards, as there was another runner trying to pass me. I dropped him, going into the chute, but in the process REALLY ramped up my heartrate. Warmdown consisted of finding a quiet spot, in case I "lost my lunch". Anyway, everything worked out OK, and just took a few minutes to get my stomach settled down.
I was really pretty happy with my race time - I was just a little over my goal - I was shooting for 8'30" miles across the board. My finish puts me about a minute and 6 seconds slower than my goal. However, this still is a Personal Best, as my previous time on this same course two years ago was 1 hour, 53 minutes and 37 seconds - So I cut almost a minute off my time. It's nice to see I'm still getting faster (at least in the longer races) even if the improvements are pretty hard-fought. I went from 158th two years ago overall down to 146th overall.
I believe this was one of my poorer "mental efforts". For some reason I was not really able to get psyched up for this run - and I believe that hurt my speed once I started to get a little tired. I was hoping my brother would be running with me, so we could resurrect the whole "runner vs triathlete" competition we've had going - but he was out of commission by a cold that he can not shake.
Alan, Susan and the Chico Running Club did a fantastic job - the chip timing was a great touch, and really simplified the awards and time-keeping.
All the results are here!!!
Posted by Dennis at March 6, 2007 05:56 AM
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Comments
Good job, Dennis!
If you're looking for another half marathon later in the year the Four Bridges run in Folsom (late October) is a good one, or if you want some elevation challenge try the Bizz Johnson in Susanville (early October).
You're probably aware of this but Fleet Feet puts on periodic half marathon training groups, which are a fun way to meet other runners and get some outside structure imposed on your training.
And the Chico Running Club meets every Saturday at 8:00 a.m. in the One Mile parking lot for a non-competitive, run (or walk) as far as you want fun run. Once a month typically, an alternative Saturday run is organized elsewhere in the area. (The last one was a point-to-point along the bikepath from Durham to Chico.) Take a look at the website: www.chicorunningclub.org.
Happy running into the spring, summer and autumn.
-- Greg
Posted by: Greg Fischer at March 11, 2007 09:13 AM
Sir,
My Name is UKWUAGU CHUKWUDI EMMANUEL from Imo State Nigeria, I'm a MARATHONER, I have been participating only in my country ( Nigeria ) and i think competing only herein my country will not help me, so i need to be participating in other countries that is why I’m writing this, Please Sir, if there is any Marathon Race that is going on in your country or in your Club, Sir, i will like to be Invited, you can contact me. I’m doing very well in Marathon Races Here in Nigeria. So for your proofs here is my website www.marathoner.gq.nu just visit it and is what I’m talking about.
Thanks. Hope to hear from you soon.
Ukwuagu Chukwudi
Posted by: ukwuagu chukwudi at August 1, 2007 08:20 PM